**Minister Pardo, President of the First Chamber of Mexico’s Supreme Court, Supports Judicial Workers Blocking Senate**
Minister Jorge Mario Pardo Rebolledo of Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice, who has been serving since February 10, 2011, and presides over the First Chamber of the highest constitutional court since October 1, 2012, made a notable visit on the night of September 7, 2024. He went to show support for the workers of the Federal Judiciary (PJF) who were blocking the Senate building’s entrance.
The official YouTube channel of the PJF posted videos of Minister Pardo taking selfies on Paseo de la Reforma Avenue and interacting with manifestants protesting against judicial reforms. The crowd expressed their appreciation with chants like “Sí se ve, sí se ve, ese apoyo sí se ve” (Yes, we see, we see, that support is visible) and “Ese ministro sí me representa” (That minister truly represents me).
The previous day, on September 6, 2024, the President of the Supreme Court, Minister Norma Lucía Piña Hernández, visited the workers blocking access to the San Lázaro legislative building since September 3. Dressed in a white t-shirt emblazoned with the emblems of the Supreme Court, the Federal Judicial Council, and the PJF, Minister Piña Hernández reiterated a message of justice famously attributed to José María Morelos y Pavón.
Around 700 workers had been camping outside the Federal Judicial Palace of San Lázaro since August 21, 2024. Early on September 3, they blocked various accesses to the Chamber of Deputies to halt discussions on the judicial reform. Greeted with chants such as “¡No está sola!” (You are not alone!), Minister Piña Hernández spent about 40 minutes engaging with workers, receiving hugs and messages, and taking numerous selfies. The protesters also chanted “¡el Poder Judicial no va a caer, no va a caer!” (The judicial power will not fall, it will not fall!) and “¡el juez imparcial, es de carrera judicial!” (An impartial judge is a career judge).
**Additional News on Judicial Reform Protests**
In a related development, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) dismissed concerns about economic instability due to proposed judicial reforms. He assured that the Guarantee Union for Freedom of Access to the Senate (JUFED) will ensure senators can freely enter the building to continue legislative work. This announcement came amidst heightened tensions and continuous protests by judicial workers who argue that the reforms threaten the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
**Key Incidents Following These Protests:**
1. On September 7, 2024, “El Cuini”, the brother-in-law of notorious drug lord “El Mencho”, was transferred from a prison in Mexico City to El Altiplano maximum-security prison, as tensions continue in Mexico’s criminal justice system.
2. Former Venezuelan presidential candidate González Urrutia was granted political asylum in Spain, reflecting the international dimension of political and judicial challenges.
3. In Tecate, discussions on the procurement of firefighting equipment stalled in Congress, highlighting issues within various governmental bodies.
4. A man was murdered in an armed attack in the Central Zone on September 7, 2024, exacerbating concerns over public safety amidst protests and reforms.
Stay tuned for more updates on these developments on TJGringo.com.